Page 300 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

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Safety and Health prostitutes (of which there are
many in and around railway
Hungary has a relatively low crime rate, although stations at night) should be
pick-pocketing can be a problem on public transport and avoided, as they are often run
in crowded sightseeing areas. The healthcare system is well- by criminals. In general, all of
funded, efficient and most emergency treatment is free for Hungary’s railway stations can be
rather unsafe places at night, as
visitors. Visitors are still advised, however, to take out a good they are popular places for drunks
health insurance policy before they depart. Most towns and petty criminals to hang out.
have modern facilities for the traveller, including good All visitors must take care
emergency medical care. The Hungarian National Tourist not to overstay their welcome –
Office can help with language problems. most tourists are permitted to
stay in the country for up to
90 days without a temporary
Personal Security accepted, and cash machines residence permit. Visitors who
Although Hungary is a relatively (ATMs) are also widely found, extend their stay beyond the
safe place, it is wise to take care. even in the countryside. 90 days and then attempt to
Popular outdoor events attract Hungarian police officers, on foot patrol leave the country may be hit Ornately decorated interior of a pharmacy, Budapest
bag-snatchers and pick pockets. in the streets with a large fine, or prevented
In Budapest and in crowded Personal Safety from leaving. for, as do hospital stays. The Hungary, and there are no
public areas, visitors should The Hungarian word for case your embassy or consulate actual cost incurred by a visitor specific health risks associated
be particularly careful to keep “police” is rendőrség. Hungarian (see Directory) may be able to Emergencies will depend on Hungary’s recip­ with the country. Tap water
an eye on their property, espe- police officers are frequently help out. (Australian visitors rocal agreement with the rele­ is perfectly safe to drink, but
cially hand bags and cameras. seen patrolling the streets on should note that Australia no The emergency telephone vant country. EU citizens are bottled waters are cheap and of
Public transport in Budapest motorbikes, on foot or in cars. longer has an embassy in number for police, fire or entitled to free treatment and high quality. Food hygiene laws
(especially the buses) is notorious They may also be seen on Budapest; the nearest is in ambulance is 112, and all hospital stays, although they are strictly enforced, so food
for the gangs of pickpockets that horseback. Even the smallest Vienna.) Visitors who are operators speak English, French will usually be asked to pay for poisoning is now rare, but it
operate there. village has its own arrested, for whatever and German. There is also an medicines. Keep any receipts for never hurts to be circumspect
Visitors should make sure they police station. In the reason, should try English­language Tourist treatments or prescriptions, and when deciding to eat at smaller
lock valuables and per sonal event of any loss or to contact their Information Service, run by ask for a signed, stamped doc­ buffets or street food stands.
documents in a hotel safe. It is theft of property, embassy and con- Tourinform, which can provide tor’s report if an insurance claim Mosquitoes can be a problem
equally important not to leave a report should be sular representative inform ation on English­ is to be made. Visitors should in high summer, especially
valuables in a car. Ideally, a made immediately immediately. speaking police stations, and also note that tipping doctors around Lake Tisza.
hotel’s car parking facilities to the police, as a Random ID checks give general advice if visitors are and nurses is still widespread (a
should be used (parking space number will be are rare, but visitors lost or need other kinds of relic of the Communist system). DIRECTORY
may be available at a small required for any insur- Fire department sign and locals alike are assistance. The telephone The Hungarian word for
supple ment – it is worth it). ance claim. This, however, required to have some number is (1) 438 80 80; it “pharmacy” or “chemist” is Emergencies
There is no need to carry is easier said than done, as form of identification with them operates around the patika, although English-Language
large amounts of cash around, some police stations may not at all times. clock. Visitors who the German word Emergency Hotline
because most credit and have anyone around who speaks CCTV is now common in believe they have Apotheke is also widely (Tourinform)
debit cards are widely the relevant language. In this Hungary’s cities and towns, been over charged in use. Hungary’s Tel (1) 438 80 80.
and has been installed on the by a restaurant, or a pharmacies are strictly
Budapest Metro, on some taxi driver, should report regulated and by law General Emergencies
buses, in department stores the incident to the Sign for a pharmacy have to be owned by Tel 112.
and in shopping centres. police. Officers can be their pharmacists. There
Hungary also has one of the approached in the street or at are there fore no pharmacy chains, Embassies
most modern speed-camera any police station. and finding a 24­hour pharmacy Australian Embassy
systems in Europe, and speed- can be difficult. If the nearest Mattiellistrasse 2–4, Vienna, Austria.
ing, along with other traffic pharmacy is closed, there should Tel +43 (1) 50 67 40.
offences that these cameras Healthcare be a list displayed – either on the
can record, attracts heavy fines, Even during Communist times door or in the window – of all British Embassy
even imprisonment in extreme Hungary was a world leader in local chemists, including those Harmincad utca 6, Budapest.
cases (see also Travelling by Car, medical research and devel op­ who will be open on 24­hour Tel (1) 266 28 88.
Ambulance pp308–9). Drink-driving is strictly ment. Hungarian doctors are emergency duty. In practice, ∑ www.gov.uk
forbidden in Hungary – there superb, though underpaid, and however, the list is often missing. Canadian Embassy
is absolutely no permissible standards in hospitals and even Tourinform or residents of the Ganz utca 12–14, Budapest.
blood alcohol level. Even a first local clinics in small towns and area should be able to help in Tel (1) 392 33 60.
drink-driving offence can lead villages are generally high. such situations. ∑ hungary.gc.ca
to imprisonment. Emergency treatment is in theo­ Most dental treatment is
The possession of all drugs ry free for all, although visitors relatively cheap in Hungary, and, US Embassy
is illegal. Prostitution is illegal, should take out a good health in fact, “dental tourism” from other Szabadság tér 12, Budapest.
Tel (1) 475 44 00.
though tolerated in most big insurance policy before travel­ countries is a growing industry. ∑ hungary.usembassy.gov
cities if practised discreetly. In ling abroad. Any treatment (and Visitors do not need any special
Police car any case, contact with street all medicines) need to be paid vaccinations to travel to

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